South Bank's winter pop-ups

We love a good pop-up here in South Bank, and this winter we’ve got more than ever to keep your entertained!

From interactive shows to rooftop bars and those iconic riverside snow globes, here’s your essential rundown of the season’s best pop-ups - and when to catch them.

WINTER MARKET

WHEN: 3 Nov – 4 Jan 2025 (closed 25 and 31 Dec)
WHERE: On the Queen's Walk beneath Hungerford Bridge (next to the Southbank Centre)
WHAT IS IT? A classic Christmas market experience

The festive season simply wouldn’t be the same without Southbank Centre’s annual Christmas market! This year there’s a great choice of tasty food on sale from the quaint chalet stalls under Hungerford Bridge, plus a variety of mulled wine, hot chocolates and ciders available from the open-air pop-up bars, as well as a variety of quirky gift stalls curated by south London makers collective SoLo Craft Fair.

Photo by Mickey Lee for South Bank London

ELECTRIC WINTER AT BETWEEN THE BRIDGES

WHEN: Until 21 Dec 2025
WHERE: Next to Jubilee Gardens and Hungerford Bridge, entrance on the Queen's Walk
WHAT IS IT? A maze of connected indoor and outdoor beer halls, bars and food trucks

Between the Bridges has had its annual festive makeover and returns with the Electric Winter party extravaganza lighting up the South Bank. Feast on tasty street food from the food trucks in the courtyard, cosy up with mulled wine in the winter garden bar, shop the pop-up SoLo Christmas Craft Fair on Sundays (until 22 Dec) and party hard to the very best Christmas bangers and sparkling drag acts in the two huge, festively decorated beer halls.

BAR HUMBUG

WHEN: 3 Nov – 4 Jan 2025 (closed 25 and 31 Dec)
WHERE: Underneath Hungerford Bridge (next to Southbank Centre)
WHAT IS IT? A festive sing-along bar with a Bavarian twist

South Bank's newest winter pop-up Bar Humbug, is located underneath Hungerford Bridge, right next to the bustling Winter Market and Between the Bridges. The bar styles itself as a festive sing-along bar with a Bavarian twist. Expect live music, DJs and communal sing-alongs by the piano through to the New Year.

JIMMY’S FIRE & FROMAGE

WHEN: 30 Oct 2025 – 4 Jan 2026
WHERE: On the Queen's Walk next to Waterloo Bridge (opposite the Southbank Centre skatepark)
WHAT IS IT? A delicious alpine pop-up dining experience

At Jimmy’s Alpine-inspired Fire & Fromage pop-up right on the riverside next to Southbank Centre there are firepits for toasting marshmallows and a mouthwatering menu of Alpine-inspired street food like schnitzels and raclette burgers, plus fantastic wintery cocktails and of course the best mulled wine. For a special treat book a table in the cabin and indulge in a decadent fondue to share.

Queen Elizabeth Hall winter roof garden

WHEN: 6 Nov – 28 Dec (closed Mon-Wed)
WHERE: Rooftop of Queen Elizabeth Hall (accessed via the yellow staircase)
WHAT IS IT? A rooftop winter garden with views over the river

A much-loved summer space, this year Southbank Centre’s magical roof garden on the Queen Elizabeth Hall is opening for the festive season too! In November and December, the rooftop will be transformed into a romantic winter garden with a view over South Bank's festive lights and a pop-up bar serving mulled wine and other seasonal drinks.

Limin' Winter Lodge

WHERE: Gabriel's Wharf
WHAT IS IT? South Bank's vibrant Caribbean restaurant gets a Christmas makeover

For the winter season the funky Trinidadian restaurant Limin' has been transformed from a beach bar into a magical alpine ski lodge! In addition to the venue's super Christmassy new look, Limin's menu has also had a wintery makeover - albeit with a signature Caribbean twist!

BOULEBAR

WHERE: On Upper Ground, behind the National Theatre and next to The Green Room restaurant
WHAT IS IT? A pop-up boules court and bar

This boules court behind the National Theatre gets a new look for winter with a cover stretching over the courts and beer garden space, and of course heaters to make sure you stay nice and toasty. On the food and drinks side of things there's of course classic French tipples like Ricard Pastis, plus a burgers courtesy of Jimmy's Burgers.